TIRANA, July 1 – Albania continues progress in EU accession talks under Chapter 16 (Taxation) and Chapter 29 (Customs), with authorities focusing on legal alignment, technical systems and stronger administrative capacity. Ratification of the protocol on illicit tobacco trade remains a key closing requirement.
Reporting to the Parliamentary Committee on Europe and Foreign Affairs, Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj outlined the state of play. Chapter 16 includes 16 criteria, while Chapter 29 requires a package of legal acts and interoperable systems linked to EU administrations.
On fiscal governance, he tied reforms to the Medium-Term Revenue Strategy 2024–2027. The plan targets fiscal stability, reduced uncertainty and higher revenues through efficiency gains rather than tax increases, with integrity measures in tax administration forming a central pillar.
Looking ahead to 2026, Yzeiraj projected that more than 29% of revenues-to-GDP would come from improved administrative efficiency.
In agriculture, he detailed ongoing tax relief measures aligned with EU legislation. Where full alignment proves difficult, alternative instruments will apply, including a 10% reimbursement scheme for farmers developed with the European Commission.
Public-private partnerships also came under review, with revised legislation now aligning procedures with EU standards. As a result, all projects must pass the same screening filters used in member states.
Turning to structural challenges, he pointed to land fragmentation in agriculture and highlighted the sovereign guarantee scheme in place for over a year. The scheme covers 70% of agricultural loans, with around 8 million euros already disbursed.
Finally, he stressed that EU integration outreach to businesses and competitiveness growth remain priorities, while the Ministry of Finance coordinates reforms across the accession process.
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